I have to put a disclaimer up before I continue.
This is a birth story. That in itself makes it somewhat graphic.
This is a home birth story which makes it even more graphic.
This is also the story of two wonderful, loving, beautiful mommies.

If any of the above may bother you, it would be best for you to refrain from looking at their birth story.

Thank you for your understanding!

XOXO

Meet Jude Ryan.
His story is beautiful- but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves as much as possible.

Unfortunately, the pool as great as it was (it was supposed to be a water birth) just didn’t work out.(I loved this…they REALLY love their doggy 🙂

Transitioning- the support and love during this whole time was amazing.

11:16PM

Pure JoyWeighing, Measuring, Heart Tones….He was absolutely perfect even though he was just a tad early.

they had a cake! (love it)Just shortly after delivery- so beautiful and alert.

I was so bummed I didn’t get to go to his baby shower this weekend
and so in honor of his one month birthday and missing his baby shower….

Welcome to the world little man.
You are SO loved.

Congrats Lewis Family, thank you so much for inviting me into your home and your lives.

In case you have not heard this song, take a second to watch the video.
If you are unaware of my journey serving love of many kinds, look back at my story here.

Anna & Fran invited me to be their photographer (among thousands of press photographers)
as they became the first couple in Colorado to receive a civil union at Midnight on 05/01/13.

My story has been long awaited, but not as long awaited as this day…

(my wonderful friend and second shooter for the evening pointed out they changed the sign!)

Fran & Anna’s Son taking pictures…

Of his beautiful mommies

Group of the first 10 to get their unions!

Finally time to sign the union

Everyone overjoyed at 12:02am

Off to the ceremony officiated by Mayor Michael Hancock

Rings, Mom, Tears & Smiles

Although they’ve been married for years, the emotion & love during this event was overwhelming.

Tears

Hugs from the mayor & their “first kiss”

Reporters…endless!

And a family picture to end it all.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you so much Fran & Anna (and your wonderful mother & son) for allowing me to be such a special part of this historic moment in your lives as well as all of our lives as Colorado Residents. I’m so proud to say that I was witness to this and was honored to be there with all of you.

Without being as long winded as I tend to be sometimes, there is a story that accompanies this post.
Last year, a friend of mine contacted me in a panic.
It was weeks before her wedding and her photographer was refusing to photograph the ceremony.
Because she is a lesbian and the photographer had never met with the couple, or even though to ask.

It broke my heart and because I wanted to be there as a guest so badly…I helped her find a colleague to document their day.
It was beautiful and exactly what we all hoped it would be…

and yet, I had this nagging feeling in my head.

I did a lot of soul searching for awhile about the image that I project to the community around me.
My website and Facebook was littered with images of the “stereotypical family”

…which also excluded me after becoming a single mom in the beginning of 2012.

Thus began my new business model and campaign; families welcome. EVERY family is beautiful.
REAL families; single mothers, two fathers, grandmas and grandpas, blended families…
we all deserve the gift of professional portraiture to document love.

(this seriously cracked me up, this little girl has so much sass…mini j-lo!)

And this little girl, who completely stole my heart…is very obviously loved.

I understand this may make some people uncomfortable.
I understand that non-traditional families can challenge people’s beliefs.
But I also understand how it feels to be discriminated against for many different things,
I understand how painful it is to be looked down on or left out for being a “single mom”.

And now I truly understand that I must practice what I preach- love makes a family.